This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8015949.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Taleban announce key withdrawal Taleban announce key withdrawal
(9 minutes later)
The Taleban say they are withdrawing from a Pakistani district where their consolidation of power this week has caused deep concern in the US.The Taleban say they are withdrawing from a Pakistani district where their consolidation of power this week has caused deep concern in the US.
A Taleban spokesman said commander Maulana Fazlullah had issued the order for fighters to pull back from Buner, just 100km (62 miles) from Islamabad.A Taleban spokesman said commander Maulana Fazlullah had issued the order for fighters to pull back from Buner, just 100km (62 miles) from Islamabad.
The US has accused officials in Pakistan of abdicating to the Taleban.The US has accused officials in Pakistan of abdicating to the Taleban.
The Taleban have agreed a peace deal bringing Sharia law to some districts in return for ending their insurgency.The Taleban have agreed a peace deal bringing Sharia law to some districts in return for ending their insurgency.
The peace deal covers six districts of Malakand division, including the troubled Swat region, in North West Frontier Province (NWFP).The peace deal covers six districts of Malakand division, including the troubled Swat region, in North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
See a map of the region See a map of the region
The Taleban have almost full control of Swat and this week had strengthened operations in Buner.The Taleban have almost full control of Swat and this week had strengthened operations in Buner.
DelegationDelegation
Taleban spokesman Muslim Khan said: "Our leader has ordered that Taleban should immediately be called back from Buner."Taleban spokesman Muslim Khan said: "Our leader has ordered that Taleban should immediately be called back from Buner."
The move came after Maulana Fazlullah had met the commissioner of Malakand.The move came after Maulana Fazlullah had met the commissioner of Malakand.
The Taleban should be gone by Saturday, their spokesman saidThe Taleban should be gone by Saturday, their spokesman said
Administration officials in NWFP have confirmed that Taleban fighters have started to leave.Administration officials in NWFP have confirmed that Taleban fighters have started to leave.
A delegation from the Taleban and the cleric who negotiated the peace deal, Sufi Muhammad, is on its way to Buner to oversee the withdrawal.A delegation from the Taleban and the cleric who negotiated the peace deal, Sufi Muhammad, is on its way to Buner to oversee the withdrawal.
Muslim Khan said the militants had just crossed from Swat into Buner as "a gesture of solidarity" with local comrades.Muslim Khan said the militants had just crossed from Swat into Buner as "a gesture of solidarity" with local comrades.
He said the Taleban would be gone by Saturday but denied that the militants were leaving due to pressure from the government or under any deal.He said the Taleban would be gone by Saturday but denied that the militants were leaving due to pressure from the government or under any deal.
Those who went to Buner, they must get out from Buner Iftikhar Hussain, NWFP spokesman Disarray on TalebanThose who went to Buner, they must get out from Buner Iftikhar Hussain, NWFP spokesman Disarray on Taleban
But the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says circumstances suggest the militants are now under pressure and that a national consensus is building among the public and political parties that they must be challenged with force.But the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says circumstances suggest the militants are now under pressure and that a national consensus is building among the public and political parties that they must be challenged with force.
Pakistan's government has clearly stated that unless the Taleban lay down their arms, other options will be considered.Pakistan's government has clearly stated that unless the Taleban lay down their arms, other options will be considered.
Sympathy for the militant movement has been on the decline, our correspondent says, since the airing of footage showing a young girl being flogged as a punishment in Swat.Sympathy for the militant movement has been on the decline, our correspondent says, since the airing of footage showing a young girl being flogged as a punishment in Swat.
The flogging of a girl in Swat has increased anger at the Taleban
Although the Taleban denied ordering the punishment, their public standing has plummeted.Although the Taleban denied ordering the punishment, their public standing has plummeted.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warns of the Taleban threat to Pakistan
At least 10 more paramilitary platoons totalling about 200 men have now arrived in Buner to take control of government buildings.At least 10 more paramilitary platoons totalling about 200 men have now arrived in Buner to take control of government buildings.
The latest moves followed a meeting of government officials in North West Frontier Province to discuss the faltering peace deal.The latest moves followed a meeting of government officials in North West Frontier Province to discuss the faltering peace deal.
Ahead of the meeting provincial spokesman Iftikhar Hussain had said: "Those who took arms must lay them down. Those who went to Buner, they must get out from Buner.Ahead of the meeting provincial spokesman Iftikhar Hussain had said: "Those who took arms must lay them down. Those who went to Buner, they must get out from Buner.
"This is the only way, and we are asking them for the last time.""This is the only way, and we are asking them for the last time."
The Taleban had been expected to lay down their arms under the peace deal and allow police and other officials to resume their duties.The Taleban had been expected to lay down their arms under the peace deal and allow police and other officials to resume their duties.
However, the Taleban had further consolidated their hold on Buner.However, the Taleban had further consolidated their hold on Buner.
On Wednesday they ambushed a paramilitary convoy at the border village of Totalai and prevented it from reaching Buner's central town of Dagar.On Wednesday they ambushed a paramilitary convoy at the border village of Totalai and prevented it from reaching Buner's central town of Dagar.
The US had expressed deep concern over the developments.The US had expressed deep concern over the developments.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Pakistan posed a "mortal threat" to the world by abdicating to the Taleban.On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Pakistan posed a "mortal threat" to the world by abdicating to the Taleban.
On Thursday US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned Pakistan that relations with the US would be threatened unless Islamabad combated the rise of the Taleban.On Thursday US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned Pakistan that relations with the US would be threatened unless Islamabad combated the rise of the Taleban.
Click here to returnClick here to return